December 19, 2002
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien welcomed the results of the Canada-European Union (EU) Summit held today in Ottawa. The Prime Minister of Denmark and current President of the European Council, Anders Fogh Rasmussen and the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, represented the EU.

"Today, Canada and the EU reaffirmed our commitment to a multilateral system based on the rule of law, strong institutions and cooperative action. We share the conviction that unified international responses are the most effective way to deal with threats such as terrorism and weapons of mass destruction and global challenges such as development and climate change," said the Prime Minister.

"Today’s Summit also provided a timely opportunity as the EU embarks on an historic enlargement to look at ways to strengthen our cooperation in areas such as Northern development, security and trade."

The leaders issued a Joint Declaration that outlined a number of areas of agreement and future cooperation. In summary, Canada and the EU agreed:

- to design a new type of forward-looking, wide-ranging bilateral trade and investment enhancement agreement which, combined with the anticipated results of the current world trade negotiations, will enhance market access and facilitate trade and investment;

- to explore cooperation in science and technology and research in areas such as genomics, nanotechnolgies and space;

- that the threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program requires a unified international response and called on Iraq to comply without conditions to its international obligations;

- that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s plans to enrich uranium for nuclear weapons purposes and resume previously frozen nuclear activities is a serious concern, noting that the future of Canada and EU relations with the DPRK will depend on its compliance with its international non-proliferation obligations;

- to continue to support peace and security in Afghanistan and common efforts to combat terrorism, including the G8 Global Partnership launched at the G8 Kananaskis Summit in June to deal with the spread of weapons and materials of mass destruction;

- to conclude negotiations on an agreement between Canada and EUROPOL as soon as possible to improve co-operation between authorities on countering terrorism and transnational crime;

- that Canada will participate in the European Union Police Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUPM) to be deployed in 2003;

- to urge countries that have not already done so to ratify the Kyoto Protocol on climate change in a timely manner;

- to work with African partners in implementing the New Partnership for Africa's Development and commended the emphasis NEPAD places on accountability between the leaders and people of Africa;

- to continue to devote special attention and energy towards strengthening co-operation in Northern regions as outlined in a special accompanying progress report also issued today; and,

- to broaden opportunities for young Canadians and Europeans to participate in transatlantic exchanges.

The leaders also approved the Progress Report on the Europe Canada Trade Initiative aimed at improving trade and investment ties.

Prime Minister Chrétien also welcomed the signing, on the margins of the Summit, of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Genome Canada and the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. The MOU is designed to foster further collaboration in the field of genomics: the science of deciphering and understanding the genetic code of life.

The complete Joint Declaration and the Progress Reports on Canada-EU Cooperation on Northern Issues and the Europe Canada Trade Initiative are available at http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canadaeuropa/canada-eu-b5-en.asp

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